Apologies for absence were received from
Councillors Dora Dixon-Fyle and Tom Flynn, and from Charles
Wynn-Evans and Musa Chunge. Apologies
for early departure were received from Councillor Nick Dolezal.

Officers undertook to write on behalf of the
audit, governance and standards committee to any managers whose
audit responses are outstanding, asking for a briefing note for the
committee on the reasons for the lateness of responses.

RESOLVED:

1.That the audit, governance and
standards committee noted BDO's internal audit progress report, as
attached at Appendix A of the report.

This item was heard with item 11 Audit
findings report (ISA 260) - including pension fund. Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.

Officers undertook to refer the educational
healthcare plans/high needs budget issues to overview and scrutiny
committee for their consideration.

Members noted that the strategic director of
children’s and adults’ services is scheduled to attend
the audit, governance and standards committee in February 2020, and
that they will be able to raise the issue there.

The audit, governance and standards committee
and Duncan Whitfield thanked Grant Thornton and their team for
their support, help and challenge throughout the year.

RESOLVED:

1.That the audit, governance and
standards committee:

a)considered the matters raised in Grant
Thornton’s audit findings report for 2018-19 (Appendix A of
the report) before approval of the council’s
accounts

b)noted the adjustments to the accounts as set out on
page 24 of the audit findings report

c)approved the council’s letter of
representation set out at Appendix B of the report

d)considered the matters raised in the pension fund
audit findings report 2018-19 (Appendix C of the report) prior to
approval of the pension fund statement of accounts

e)noted the adjustments to the pension fund statement
of accounts as set out in page 12 of the audit findings
report

f)approved the pension fund letter of representation
set out at Appendix D of the report

g)approved the Statement of Accounts 2018-19 (Appendix
E of the report), subject to any final changes required by the
conclusion of the audit, being delegated to the Strategic Director
of Finance and Governance in consultation with the chair of audit,
governance and standards committee.

Officers introduced the report. Members had questions of the officers.

Officers agreed to bring back an update to the
audit, governance and standards committee with the proposals for
Southwark Council going forward.

RESOLVED:

That the committee:

1.Noted the issues outlined in the report.

2.Noted the 26 recommendations made by the Review of
Local Government Ethical Standards by The Committee on Standards in
Public Life (CSPL) and the 15 best practice points.

3.Noted the council already practices many of the
recommendations which do not require legislative changes as a
matter of good practice.

4.Considered what further changes could be made to the
Council’s Code of Conduct and Arrangements for dealing with
complaints alleging a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct,
which would not require legislative changes.

Officers undertook to ensure the audit,
governance and standards committee are briefed on the following
themes:

·Regeneration/Housing: September 2019

·Asset Management: September 2019

·ICT update: November 2019

·Schools performance and budgets: February 2020

RESOLVED:

1.That the audit, governance and
standards committee considered the proposed draft work programme
for 2019-20 and whether they would wish to make amendments to
arrangements as set out in paragraph 4 of this report, or in
respect of any other matters.

2.That the audit, governance and
standards committee, subject to any requested changes, agreed the
work programme for 2019-20 set out in Appendix 2 of the
report.